Reedwood Friends Church, Portland, Oregon
Our theme for the 2025 Annual Sessions of Sierra-Cascades Yearly Meeting of Friends is “Centered in Love.” Annual Sessions will be held June 27-29, 2025, at Reedwood Friends Church in Portland, Oregon with check-in beginning at 9:30 AM on Friday, June 27. We will also offer Zoom access to many sessions for those who are unable to join us in person.
Our guest speaker is Matt Boswell. Matt (he/him) is the pastor of Camas Friends Church in Camas, Washington. He is an author, educator, musician, and avid hiker. You can visit mattboswellpnw.com to learn more about Matt. He will be speaking on Friday evening and Sunday morning.
Programs for children and youth are being planned, along with a full schedule of workshops, music, worship, business, an afternoon nature walk and time for fellowship with old and new Friends. The children’s and youth programming does not cost extra.
The program for Middle School and High School Youth is being planned by Sara Lavenhar with input from Espen Bock and Amy George as well as members of the Youth Committee. Sara has experience working with the youth in North Pacific Yearly Meeting and is from the Seattle Area where she attends Salmon Bay Friends Meeting.
On Saturday, Peg Edera (West Hills Friends) will be signing her new book of poetry, Unburying Angels: Reclaiming the Nectar and the Hum. Barclay Press will have books available to purchase all weekend, including Peg’s new book. Also, on Saturday there will be time for a lovely nature walk on the Reed College campus in a wooded area.
Online pre-registration has begun. Friends from out of town can either rent an Airbnb or a hotel room for the weekend. Portland area Friends have also volunteered to host those who would prefer a home stay. Friends who wish to have a home stay should send in their request as soon as possible via the online pre-registration form, but no later than June 1st as they are limited in number. Meals will be catered at Reedwood for the weekend as follows: lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday and lunch on Sunday. Friends should expect to provide their own breakfast.
Since our annual sessions are not being held on conference grounds, and Reedwood does not have maintenance staff, we have more volunteer opportunities than usual. Please consider how you can help others during Yearly Meeting. The following volunteer jobs need to be filled:
Hosting guests in your home
Driving Friends from their homestays back and forth to Reedwood each morning and evening
Cleaning up after meals (wiping tables and taking out trash)
Picking up trash and leftovers out of the workshop rooms Saturday evening
Setting up chairs and tables in the dining area and tables in the narthex on Friday morning at 9:00 AM
Making coffee and setting up the snack area
Putting chairs and tables away Sunday afternoon before leaving
Picking up trash and leftover materials in the sanctuary, the lounge, the narthex and other rooms that have been used at the end of the day on Sunda
Please let the registrar know if lack of funds would prevent you from attending. We don’t want the cost to get in the way of anyone attending, so if you cannot pay the full registration amount, we will help cover your costs. Friends who must pay for their accommodations while attending Yearly Meeting will receive a 15% discount on their registration. Friends who can afford extra are asked to donate money to the scholarship fund.
Please register and pay by June 9, 2025. Send a check made out to SCYMF with “annual sessions” in the memo line to the registrar, Rachel Hampton, at 7200 SE Woodstock Blvd. Apt 29, Portland, OR 97206 or pay by Tithe.ly on the SCYMF website and use the drop-down option "Annual Sessions Registration.” Attendance by Zoom also requires advance online registration, and Zoom attendance is free.
FEES:
The basic cost structure is as follows:
Adult or teen (age 13+) 5 meals = $170
Child (age 3-12) 5 meals = $130
Adult or teen 4 meals = $148
Child 4 meals = $108
Adult or teen 3 meals = 126
Child 3 meals = $86
Adult or teen 2 meals = $104
Child 2 meals = $64
Adult or teen 1 meal = $82
Child 1 meal = $42
Adult or teen no meals = $60
Child no meals = $25
Babies (age 0-2) = free
The link for in-person pre-registration is:
https://forms.gle/uUVVfrhMdjn6LxF76
The link for zoom pre-registration is:
https://forms.gle/smqZcHT4pPYhMH8ZA
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
Facemasks are voluntary to avoid spreading airborne illnesses, but welcome. If you feel sick, please do not attend in person. We will provide the Zoom information to everyone who registers to attend in person, in case of a last-minute need to stay home.
Reedwood Friends is located at 2901 SE Steele St, Portland, OR 97202, across the street from the Reed College Campus.
Any questions? Contact Registrar at registrar@scymf.org or gathering@scymf.org.